Shaft seal



SHAFT SEAL Filed June 25, 1932 Brwentor .IGH/V A. OLSON (IttornegPatented Dee. 1o, 193s UNITED ySTATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

vent the escape of fluid between the shaft and.

its bearings or the fixed part in which it rotates.

Generally speaking, it has been more or less a diillcult problem topreclude the escape of fluid around the bearings of a rotating shaft.This is particularly true where there is some clearance between thebearing and the shaft which may be necessary to prevent binding of theshaft and to allow it free rotation, or on the other hand may be theresult of poor or inaccurate machining operations. Where this conditionoccurs, the shaft is aorded a slight radial or lateral movement,allowing the shaft to become cocked or tilted in its bearings, thatordinarily would destroy the emciency of a sealing joint and wouldresult in leakage.

This invention contemplates the provision of a sealing joint for arevolvable shaft that consists in two shaft encompassing members, one ofwhich is sealed with respect to the shaft and is driven therewith, theother of which is sealed with respect to the housing and isnon-rotatable. By virtue of an oscillatable mounting for each of thesealing members, their co-actlng sealingv surfaces, which are beveled,may automatically adjust themselves to maintain their respective sealingsurfaces in contact. This feature makes for a tight leakproof joint andautomatically compensates for any cooking of the shaft.

One object .of my invention is to produce a seal for a rotary shaft thatwill effectively preclude the leakage of iuid past the joint even in theevent that the shaft is cocked or tilted during operation. Anotherobject of this invention is to produce a shaft seal that is economicalto manufacture and assemble and will operate emciently for the purposeintended.

Other objects and advantageous features of this invention are to benoted in the following detailed description and accompanying drawing,wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts andwherein:-

Figure 1 is a. vertical longitudinal section of my shaft seal mounted inco-operative relation with the parts with which it is employed;

Fig. 2 is a detail in section of the main sealing members assembled onthe shaft;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of one of the sealing members;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the sealing member shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the other sealing member; K

Fig. 6 is an end view of the member shown in Fig. 'Z is a showing of amodied form of sealing device.

With reference to the drawing, the preferred form of my shaft seal hasbeen shown in Fig. 1 in conjunction with a shaft S and a casing C 5through which the shaft extends. The casing shown is chiefly for thepurpose of illustration and explanation in reciting the nature and modeof operation of my sealing means and may be replaced by casings of otherdesign to t the need 10 of various installations without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention. Conveniently, the shaft S may bethe water pump impeller shaft for an internal combustion engine,

one end of the shaft being driven through a flex- 15- ible pulley fromtheA cam shaft, and the opposing end mounting an impeller by virtue ofwhich circulation of Water is aorded.

The casing C may consist of a body portion l having a longitudinalpassage that is bored 2i)- the wall acting as one of the bearings forthe shaft S. The numeral 4 indicates that portion of the passage thathouses the major portion of the 30 sealing device, whereas the zone 5which is the largest in diameter houses the resilient members that urgethe sealing means to be hereinafter described into co-operativeengagement and also affords a shoulder 'l at the bottom of the bore, 35which acts as a seat for a plurality of sealing members also to behereinafter referred to. This end of the passage is closed by anapertured end member 9 that is pressed into the housing and acts as theother bearing for the shaft S. 40 To aid in illustrating the manner inwhich the shaft seal operates, when the shaft is cocked or tilted, Ihave shown a clearance between the shaft and the radial wall 3, and endmember 9, respectively. This clearance may arise from im- 45 propermachining, or may be intentional to allow the free rotation of the shaftwithout binding. In any event, during the operation of the shaft, it isliable to become cocked with respect to the axis of the bores in theradial wall 3 and 50 the member 9, in the manner shown in Fig. 2, whichwould ordinarily result in the ineiiicient operation of certain types ofsealing means not adjustable to compensate for such displacement.

My novel sealing device l is intended to effec- 55 tively precludeleakage between a shaft that may become so cocked, and its casing, andprefer'- ably consists in two co-operating shaft encompassing members l0and l I, one of which is sealed against leakage with respect to theshaft and is rotatable therewith, the other of which is sealed againstleakage with respect to the casing and l, is literally "hung" therefrom,both o f which have co-operating sealing surfaces adapted to preventleakage of fluid between the shaft and the casing.

Specifically, the member III consists in a cup shaped fitting which maybe machined from bar stock and has a bore of two diameters divided intothe zone I2 and the zone I3 and further is machined to provide aconical, preferably case hardened, face I4 thatco-operates with areversely contoured surface on the member II to eiIect a seal betweenthe two members as will be hereinafter referred to more in detail. Inthe zone I2, the cup shaped member is intended to receive a packingmaterial I5 such as asbestos or the like. This packing material isintended to prevent fluid leakage between the cup and the shaft S. Inthe zone I3 of theA passage, the diameter of the bore is such that aslight' clearance is afforded between the member and the shaft so thatthe cup may oscillate in any direction (for a purpose to be referred tolater) about the axis of the shaft, to a degree determinable. vby theextent of clearance. The cup shaped member is preferably driven with theshaft and to this end, a split ring I6, better shown in Fig. 6, isplaced in the bore I2 behind the sealing material with the split portionengaging a radial pin I1 pressed in the periphery of the cup. Thus, therotation of the shaft is transmitted through the ring I6 and the pin I1to the cup. The ring I6 -also prevents longitudinal displacement of thepacking and is normally intended to abut termined by the degree ofclearance. The member II is also chamfered, as at 2i, at the upper sideof the wall of the bore I8 to provide. a surface for co-operation withthe surface I4 of the member I0.

When the member I I is assembled on the shaft, it is moved forward intoabutting relation with the member I0 and is held in position by a pin 23that extends through the casing C and is located in a wide slot 24 inthe outer periphery of the member I I. Moreover, the member, II issuspended or hung from the casing C by virtue of a plurality ofapertured sealing devices 25 closely encompassing the sleeve 20 and inleakproof relation with the casing C. The sealing devices, as will benoted, seat against the shoulder 1 and are pressed into engagementtherewith by a coil spring 23 that abuts at one end against the endmember 9. In addition, the member II is also urged axially intoengagement with the cup shaped member by virtue of the coil spring 21that abuts against the end member 9 and closely encompasses the shaft.These sealing members are of suilicient nexibility to aiford forward andbackward movement of the member II and of Vsuiilcient resiliency as topermit expansion or contraction under lateral stress. Hence, the memberII is capable of limited oscillation to adjust itself to the face Il ofthe member I Il.

It is to be observed that the cup shaped member I3 is sealed withrespect tothe shaft ,and is so mounted on the shaft that it is co-axialtherewith, however, the sealing member II is suspended from the casing Cand is co-axial with .assemblies is permitted a certain amount of endplay. The sealing member I I, however, follows the member III as itmoves to the left with the shaft (assuming that the end play is suchthat the shaft is moving in this direction) under the 15 resilient forceof the spring 21 to maintain the sealing surfaces in co-operativerelation. If, the shaft should move to .the right, the cup shaped memberIII forces thev member II to the right against the resilient pressure ofthe spring 21, thereby insuring that the sealing surfaces will bemaintained in contact.

In the operation of 'this novel shaft seal, assuming that the shaft isoperating normally, that is-not cocked" or tilted, it is to be observed,g5 in Fig. 1, that the members III and II are substantially co-axial andthat the sealing. surfaces 2l and I4 of the two members are in leakproof engagement. Assuming that the left end of the shaft is operatingin a fluid. it follows that the 39 fluid may flow axially along theshaft through the passage 3 and enter the zone I. However, the sealingmaterial I5 stops any flow along the shaft beyond this zone, althoughthe zone 4 may 4be completely filled with fluid. Fluid is stopped 35from escaping from this zone by virtue of the sealing members 25 thatare rmly pressed into engagement with the shoulder 1 and by thecooperating sealing surfaces 2| and I4 of the two sealing discs. Hence,no fluid can escape into 40 the zone 5 and leakage of uid is effectivelyprevented. It is also to be observed that the rotation of the member IIIwill also tend to throw liquid toward the casing and away from thesealing surfaces I4 and 2|. 45

Assuming, however, that at some time during the operation of the shaftit becomes cocked or tilted with respect to the axis of the bores in theradial part 3 and end member 9, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the member IIImay oscillate slightly 50 with respect to shaft S, while the member I Imay oscillate with respect to the housing so that the two members mayautomatically align themselves to maintain proper sealing contactbetween the respective sealing surfaces. It is to be observed 55 thatthe-sealing members I5 or 25 may oscillate to allow the members toadjust themselves properly.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, I have shown a slightly modified form ofsealing device including the 00 members 30 and 3|, wherein the sealingsurfaces are square groimd and contact in a plane normal to the axis ofthe shaft. In other respects, the two members are identical with thoseof the preferred showing, clearance being provided 65 between each andthe shaft. and the member 3|! being sealed with respect to the shaft bythe sealing members I5, the member Il being hung" from the casing by thesealing members 25. 'Ihe operation is substantially the same in thisshow- 70 ing as in thepreferred showing and oscillation of the sealingmembers 30 and 3l to permit the adjustment of one of the sealing facesto the plane of the other sealing face is afforded in this instance asin the preferred form through the exibility of the sealing devices l5and 25.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that numerous and variousdepartures may be made therefrom. However, I do not care to be limitedto the exact disclosure shown except by the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:-

1. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing which the shaftpenetrates, said housing having spaced parts forming bearings for saidshaft, a sealing device for preventing the escape of fluid past at leastone of the bearings, saidA device comprising a cup shaped memberoscillatably mounted on said shaft and being sealed with respectthereto, a second member encompassing said shaft and being oscillatablymounted in said housing, said two members having surfaces adapted tocooperate to produce a seal, and means for mounting said second namedmember in said housing which comprises an axially deformable flexibledisk having a portion engaging the housing and resilient means engagingsaid disk for urging said portion into sealing relation therewith.

2. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, said housing having an internal shoulder, a sealing meanscomprising a member surrounding the shaft and rotatable therewith, asecond member having a flange surrounding the shaft and having a sealingsurface adapted to cooperate with the first member, and means'forsupporting said second member from the housing comprising a flexibleannular sealing disk having an inner portion adapted to engage saidflange and an outer portion adapted to engage said shoulder in thehousing, spring means for urging said sealing disk against saidshoulder, and spring means for urging said second member into engagementwith said first member, said sealingA means being axially deformablewhereby said second member is supported for longitudinal or oscillatorymovement.

3. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, said housing having parts forming bearings for saidshaft, a sealing device for preventing the escape of fluid past at leastone of said bearings comprising a cup-shaped member mounted on the shaftand being sealed with respect thereto, a resilient ring disposed withinthe cup-shaped member A and in driving engagement with said member andwith the shaft, a second member encompassing the shaft, said two membershaving surfaces adapted to cooperate to produce a seal, and means forsupporting said second member in said housing comprising a flexible dischaving a portion engaging the housing, and resilient means engaging saiddisc and urging said portion into seal- .ing engagement with thehousing.

4. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, said housing having, parts forming bearings for saidshaft, a sealing device for preventing the escape of'uid past at leastone of the bearings comprising two members encompassing the shaft and4having cooperatingsealing surfaces, means for driving one of saidmembers with the shaft cornprising a split resilient ring in drivingengagement with the shaft, and a pin engaging the member and the ends ofthe resilient ring, and means for supporting the other member from thehousing comprising a exible disc having a portion engaging the housing,and resilient means engaging said disc for urging said portion 5 intosealing relation with the housing.

5. Incombination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, a sealing device for preventing the escape of fluid fromsaid housing and around said shaft com- 10 prising two membersencompassing the shaft and having cooperating sealing surfaces, meansfor driving one of said members with the shaft while allowing'oscillation of the member with respect to the shaft comprising a splitresilient ring in 15 driving engagement with the shaft, and a pinengaging the member and the ends of the resilient ring, and means forcreating a seal between the other member and the housing.

6. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, a sealing device for preventing the escape of fluid fromsaid housing and around said shaft comprising two members encompassingthe shaft and having cooperating sealing surfaces, means'for driv- 25ing one of said members with the shaft while allowing oscillation of themember with respect to the shaft comprising a split resilient ring indriving engagement with the shaft and means carried by the member anddisposed between the ends of 30 the ring for driving the member with thering, and means for creating a seal between the other member and thehousing.

7. In combination with a rotatable shaft and a housing through which theshaft extends, a sealing device for preventing the escape of uid fromsaid housing and around the shaft comprising a cup-shaped member looselymounted on the shaft and being sealed with respect thereto, a splitresilient metallic ring disposed within the 40 cup-shaped member and indriving engagement with the shaft, means mounted on the cup-shapedmember andengaging the ends of said ring whereby the cup-shaped memberis driven with the shaft, a second member encompassing the shaft, 45said two members having surfaces adapted to cooperate to produce a seal,and eans for creating a seal between said secon member and said housing.

8. In combination with a rotatable shaft and 50 a housing through whichthe shaft extends, a sealing device for preventing the escape ,of iluidbetween said shaft and said housing comprising' a sleeve membersurrounding the shaft and sealed with respect to the housing, acup-shaped member loosely surrounding the` shaft and engaging saidsleeve member, said cup-shaped member and said sleeve member havingcooperating sealing surfaces, means disposed within said cup-shaped 60member for sealing said cup-shaped member with respect to the shaftwhile allowing oscillation of said cup-shaped member with respect to theshaft, and means for driving said cup-shaped member comprising a splitresilient ring in driving engagement with the shaft, and means indriving engagement with said cup-shaped member and having aportiondisposed between the ends of said resilient ring for Ydriving saidcupshaped member with the ring.

